The problems we faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic have eased up, but long-term impacts continue to plague us. Now that the dust has settled, we're starting to really understand how devastatingly stressful the pandemic was on children. They faced shutdowns, fell behind in school, lost parents and loved ones, and untold other issues. Now that school's back in session and life has somewhat returned to normal, we might think kids should quickly readjust.

This thinking is flawed, and as noted by a recent AOL article, kids are anything but okay. When kids are troubled, they often end up causing trouble. The article provides alarming statistics, noting that as the COVID-19 Pandemic hit one of its most dangerous peaks in 2021, nearly half of the young people in the U.S. had a substance use or mental health disorder, a federal survey found.”

Why is Your Kid Getting in Trouble?

Being a kid was stressful before the pandemic. It can be too easy for parents to initially shrug off their child's misbehavior as “kids being kids,” but if not addressed, this bad behavior can take a dark turn and become criminal delinquency. Mental health disorders can manifest in ways other than sadness. Often, kids act up and engage in criminal behavior, including:

• Underage drinking
• Use of illegal drugs
• Theft
• Vandalism

It's important your child receives help and seeks a remedy that addresses their emotional needs. Simultaneously, it's also important the parent or guardian safeguards the child's legal rights. This is best done by retaining a Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney.

The Impact of a Juvenile Criminal Offense

Bad behavior can land your kid with a criminal record. There's a misconception that a juvenile offense isn't as serious as getting convicted as an adult. While there are some ways in which juvenile offenses are a little easier to navigate, they will still have a serious, detrimental, and long-term impact on your child's ability to move forward in life.

Fortunately, juvenile crimes are more easily expunged, but too many kids fail to get the legal and emotional help they need in time. They lose out on crucial opportunities like college applications, scholarship opportunities, and more.

Retain a PA Juvenile Defense Attorney

If you're the parent or guardian of a child who's exhibiting bad behavior, you're right to be worried. PA Juvenile Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento understands this is a difficult time for your family, and he can help you navigate the process of getting your kid back on track. Their entire future is in front of them, and they deserve every chance possible. To learn how Attorney Lento and the dedicated Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you, call 888-535-3686 today or contact our firm online.